After the first version of this I realized how much I left out. Of course, if I put everything in one post it would be too much, so I guess it’s going to be a progression.
If you read that then hopefully you’ve gotten outside with a field guide and identified some of your local plants, you’re drinking nourishing infusions every day, and you’re keeping up with what you know and what you have with a daily cup of tea. And, really, play wildcraft.
Now, a couple more things:
1. Is there a plant that calls to you? Do you love it for its flowers, it’s thorns, it’s smell, the way it grows everywhere or only in the most special-holy places? Sit with it. Don’t just take it home with you, spend time in it’s home. Draw it, talk to it, listen to it, sleep with it, dream it. This is more important than you can imagine if you haven’t done it. This is also an incredibly abbreviated version of what you could learn from Susan Weed if you read Healing Wise or took one of her classes.
2. Okay, you’ve been making infusions and teas. Let’s do something else: a lavender tincture. Partly because I’ve already written about lavendar, and partly because it is so incredibly versatile and helpful and mild. Lavender will fix your headache, your diarrhea, and clear up your runny nose. Get some lavender and some vodka, and follow the instructions here. As usual, I recommend Mountain Rose Herbs for lavender – just click on their logo over there —>
3. There is a whole world of herb bloggers out there on the internets. I think it’s really important to put stuff in context as you’re learning it, and a great way to do that is to read blogs that are written conversationally by herbalists for herbalists. Start with Darcy’s blog, and click around a little.